Thesaurus results for ASK (FOR)

ask (for)

verb

Definition of ask (for)

as in to seek

to make a request for don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in to woo

to act so as to make (something) more likely you are asking for trouble if you invite her ex to the wedding

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to request

to give a request or demand for the surgeon asked for the scalpel

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ask (for)

Verb

Swinehart’s lawsuit seeks punitive and compensatory damages, although no amount is specified.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
Alleging that the killing occurred as Royal robbed Watkins, the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office successfully sought from a grand jury an indictment charging Royal with capital murder.

— Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 July 2026

Definition of seek

Verb

In wooing Franklin to Blacksburg, Foster, Babcock and members of the Virginia Tech board of visitors needed to convince him that the Hokies were ready to get back in the game after sinking toward the bottom of the ACC in athletic spending.

— Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 9 July 2026
However, Canada’s goal came from Eustáquio, the son of Portuguese parents who Herdman wooed away from that country’s U-21 team in 2019.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026

Definition of woo

Verb

Kenneth Malin, the West Cedar Creek MUD’s general manager, did not respond to a message requesting comment on the district’s discussions with Diode.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2026
The notice requested all evidence that had not been displayed publicly be shown again – and that additional evidence introduced during the case also be made public.

— Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 11 July 2026

Definition of request

Verb

The novel plot is intricately structured and gratifying while the animation — which dips into various styles including impressionism — invites you into an awe-inspiring alternative world.

— Randy Myers, Mercury News, 16 July 2026
Flanking the stage were two large neon signs of a cowboy and cowgirl, waving back and forth as if inviting a traveler to come visit for a night.

— Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026

Definition of invite

Verb

That kind of granular information is important for emergency responders in the field and planners who make decisions about calling for extra help or ordering evacuations.

— Eric Niiler, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Americans across the nation are being asked (or ordered) to conserve water, thanks to widespread drought made even worse by a punishing heat wave.

— Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 5 July 2026

Definition of order

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

askew

ask (for)

asking

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Ask (for).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ask%20%28for%29. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of ask (for)

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

quid pro quo

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 17

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes